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Thailand Cultural Adventure

On this cultural journey we venture into the heart of Thailand. We tour ancient sights and cruise along bustling waterways. We see the infamous 'Bridge over the River Kwai' and explore ruined temples at the former royal capital of Ayutthaya. We also cruise the Chao Phraya River in a converted rice barge, travel deep into the jungle, visit a Mon village and stay on a jungle raft house on the Kwai Noi River.

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may choose to take an optional cruise along the city's Klongs (canals) in a traditional longtail boat. This is the ideal way to explore Bangkok's network of meandering waterways that branch off from the main channel of the Chao Phraya River. The excursion will also include visits to the Royal Barge Museum and the iconic Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, which was built to represent the towering slopes of Mount Meru, the home to the gods of Khmer mythology.

2

In Bangkok, visit Grand Palace; sleeper train to Chiang Mai

Our sightseeing tour this morning is on foot and includes the Grand Palace with its stunning Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The afternoon is left free, then in the evening we board the overnight train for Chiang Mai.

Overnight: Basic Overnight Train

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Arrive in Chiang Mai; visit Doi Suthep temple; walking tour of Old Town

Chiang Mai offers a complete contrast and relief from the heat and noise of Bangkok. Its elevation is just over 300m, so the climate is most agreeable. Founded in the 13th century, it owes its prosperity mainly to the teak trade. Our sightseeing will include the famous Doi Suthep temple and an orientation walk of the old town.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

4

In Chiang Mai, free day with option to visit Lampang Elephant Sanctuary

Our second day in Chiang Mai is left free. In the morning there is the option to visit the Lampang elephant sanctuary, the largest elephant conservation centre in the country, hosting an elephant hospital caring not just for the sick, but also for abandoned elephants. In the afternoon you may choose to take a Thai cooking course, where an expert cook will teach even the most inexperienced the fundamentals of Thai cookery. Chiang Mai is easy to get around so you may decide to hire a bicycle, or alternatively
spend time visiting the markets in the city reputed to be the handicraft capital of Thailand.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

5

Drive to Si Satchanalai temple ruins en route to Sukhothai

Today we head south to Si Satchanalai the twin city to Sukhothai. Although architecturally very different, it is just as impressive in many ways with a variety of outside influences noticeable in the construction of the wats and chedis (religious memorials). The most impressive and most sacred is Wat Chang Lom. Situated in the heart of the old city it is decorated with 39 standing elephants and is unusual due to its Ceylonese-style chedi – the earliest of its kind in Thailand. After visiting the site we make our way to nearby Sukhothai.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

In Sukothai, explore old city ruins by bicycle; rice barge on Chao Phraya River to Uthai Thani

Today we explore (Old) Sukhothai by bicycle, the first capital of Siam; which was at the pinnacle of Thai civilisation for over 200 years up to the end of the 1400s. It then went into decline as Ayutthaya took over as the most important city in the area, and was deserted until it was discovered as a lost city in the jungle in the 19th Century. The city has now been fully excavated and it comprises 21 historical sites within the city walls and a further 70 outside. Leaving Sukhothai by bus, we drive to Phayuha Khiri where we embark on a leisurely cruise down the river aboard our converted rice barge. We enjoy dinner before disembarking at Uthai Thani for the night.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

This morning we plan a visit to a local market before re-boarding our rice barge once again. We will stop en route as we drift down the winding Chao Phraya River, giving us a real insight into the authentic life of the indigenous river dwellers and boat people. There's plenty of time to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. After lunch we arrive at Haopraya Dam and disembark. Heading south by bus we reach another of Siam's stunning ancient capitals, Ayutthaya. Situated on an island at the confluence of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers, Ayutthaya had a very strong defensive position and retained its power for over 400 years, during which time it became extremely wealthy. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city is still a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, stupas and monasteries. We will include a walking tour to visit the Royal Palace and a few wats.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

8

Drive to Kanchanaburi; journey on Death Railway and by boat on River Kwai; overnight in raft houses

An early morning drive, by-passing Bangkok takes us to the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi, where we visit the war cemetery and the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. The building of the bridge and the Death Railway as it has become known, is one of the most infamous episodes of the Second World War. The Japanese built the railway to link Siam and Burma (Myanmar) using Prisoners of War between June 1942 and October 1943. It was to carry supplies to their fast expanding empire and by doing so it would cut almost 1300 miles off the sea route from Japan. The working conditions were atrocious and over 16000 allied troops lost their lives as well as an estimated 75,000 Asian forced labourers. We then take the train along part of the original route. We continue by bus to the Hellfire Pass and visit the Memorial Museum. Finally we transfer to longtail boats for a journey up the River Kwai to our Raft Houses, set in a tranquil location on the river’s edge.

Overnight: Simple Raft HouseSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

9

In Kanchanburi, take bamboo rafts on River Kwai; visit Mon minority village

We spend a full day here exploring the jungle and the river by elephant and bamboo rafts. A visit to nearby Mon minority villages will also be organised or you may choose to relax with an optional Thai massage. Alternatively you may prefer to simply relax in your raft house and watch the world go by.

Overnight: Simple Raft HouseSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10

Return to Bangkok by boat and bus

We head back by longtail boat to Pak Sang Pier this morning and join our vehicle for the drive to Bangkok.

Tour ends in Bangkok

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Old Siam & The River Kwai tour available at present.

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Why Book this tour

As one of our best selling tours this adventure to Thailand really gets under the skin of the destination and gives travellers an in-depth discovery of the history and culture of the country. Often associated only with beaches this trip is a revelation, as you will see ancient lost cities, journey by rice barge, and spend a night in a raft house on the legendary River Kwai. This is a great holiday for history lovers who want to understand the 'real' Thailand.